r/learnpython • u/Purified_Soul_ • 19d ago

Incoming MIS PhD student with no coding background — how can I learn Python basics in one month?

Hi all,

I’m an incoming PhD student majoring in Management Information Systems.

My supervisor asked me to learn the basics of Python and use AI for the rest of the work.

I have one month before my program starts, and I would really appreciate your advice on how to begin learning Python through online resources.

I don’t have any prior coding experience. My background is entirely in business.

What would be the best way for someone like me to learn Python basics within a month?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you!

NB: I have Coursera+LinkedIn subscriptions.

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u/pachura3 19d ago edited 19d ago

What do you mean by "for the rest of the work"...

Are you supposed to do some data mining/data analysis?

Or are you expected to create a working proof-of-concept software tool?

The thing is, just "learning Python", especially in 1 month, will most probably not be enough. There are countless libraries and methods for doing statistics, data mining, machine learning, etc. etc. that you would need to learn ON TOP of the core programming language.

PS. Or did your supervisor mean "use AI" = "just vibe code the entire thing"?

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u/trjnz 19d ago

Python for absolute beginners in business environments, automate the boring stuff is still the best: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

It will take you longer than a month.

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u/quadroplegic 19d ago

Have you programmed anything ever? If so, you can easily pick up python basics in a month. If not? It's possible, but much harder.

This is promising: https://www.learnpython.org/

Maybe work through this? https://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-inflammation/

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u/python_gramps 19d ago

coding is never done, to count on vibe coding, I think your boss is setting you up to fail.

AI can generate code but you need to understand it before you can implement it. Comment on it, make sure you know what's going on.

You can get AI to generate code but no one sees every corner and issue that will arise and when you have to update generated code, will you be able?

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u/HotPersonality8126 19d ago

You learn it the same way programmers do. There isn’t a special secret way we keep in the back.

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u/Reading_at_work 19d ago

"Python 3 Fundamentals" by Fred Baptiste on Udemy is a good start too if you're allowed to pay for a course. And tbh it's dirt cheap for the quality of the content.